Chemistry is a subject she was scared of in school but that did not deter Debasree Roy from rattling off formulas as a teacher of chemistry in the Hoichoi series Chemistry Mashi. The National Award-winning actress spoke to us about her OTT debut, her favourite web shows and working with Mithun Chakraborty in Shastri.
You made your OTT debut with the Hoichoi series Chemistry Mashi. How does it feel?
Debasree Roy: I have been acting since I was 11 months old. The camera is like a mirror to me. I love acting, be it in any medium. Facing the camera is always challenging for me. I have worked parallelly for the big and small screens. Back then, the subjects that were explored on television were not the same as that of films. My character Shoroshi in Dena Paona and projects like Nagarparer Rupnagar, Louho Kopat, Mahabharat, which came from television, would have never come from films. I also did quite a few telefilms. In Chemistry Mashi, playing a chemistry teacher was difficult for me, but I never run away from challenges.
What do you feel has changed over the years?
Debasree Roy: The industry has evolved over the years. I miss so many people with whom I had started my journey in the industry. The format and the systems in the industry have changed. The mindset of the audience has changed. Earlier we would take months to finish a film but now it takes 14-15 days. Every member of the film used to be like a family member but today we jump from one shoot to the other and don’t have the time to think about spending personal time with each other.
What made you say yes to Chemistry Mashi?
Debasree Roy: The subject was very unique and different from what is happening now. I felt the audience would like it and would get to see Debasree Roy in a completely different way. I have done my best.
As a student, was chemistry a subject that you liked?
Debasree Roy: I was quite nervous while playing the role as I was not good at chemistry at all. I would be very scared when my chemistry teacher would come for tuition. I never liked science and maths. I didn’t want to do this role when I got the offer. There were so many formulas that I had to learn. I asked the director (Sourav Chakraborty) to cast someone else. But he had written the story keeping me in mind, so I didn’t think much about it and said yes.
How did you prepare to play the role?
Debasree Roy: I become the character once the camera is in front of me. If I prepare too much, I will deliver zero. I like to be spontaneous. I don’t do much homework. After I read the script, I thought about how to deliver. Before the shot, I would ask the team members to say the formulas out loud continuously to me.
How was it working with Sourav Chakraborty?
Debasree Roy: Sourav is a very serious director. I loved working with him. Before we started the project, he had sent me a teaser of his last film Rajneeti to get an idea about his work. Then I spoke to him to understand his vision. He has great knowledge. I hope he keeps doing good work.
Which is your favourite web series?
Debasree Roy: There are so many. Mirzapur, Made in Heaven, Family Man, She, Panchayat, Jamtara, The Railway Men are some of them.
You recently shot for Sashtri with Mithun Chakraborty. You are collaborating with him after a long time.
Debasree Roy: Nowadays people don’t like watching commercial films. They have lost interest. They want good content and story. Sashtri is a commercial film but it also has a good story. I hope the audience likes it.
It is super fun to work with Mithunda. He is a great actor. I am grateful that we have done quite a lot of work together. In fact, his second Bengali film Nodi Theke Sagore was with me. We are very comfortable working with each other. He is like family and we share a special bond.
What is next for you?
Debasree Roy: My plan is to do good work and for that, if I have to sit for six months I am fine. I don’t want to do work for the sake of it. I want to do something that is challenging and will make my audience happy.
